Top Ten Des Moines Area Farmer’s Markets

Des Moines’s farmer’s market has made national lists but let’s not forget the smaller ones around town that deserve just as much love. The following are the best farmer’s markets in and nearby Des Moines that you should visit before the season ends.

Valley Junction Farmer’s Market– Thursdays 4-8pm, 5th St.- Valley Junction’s Farmer’s market has been around since the 1970’s and they have managed to make their market have a festive atmosphere that feels like a party that happens to have fresh fruit/vegetables for sale as well. They offer bouncy houses and face painting for the kids and over 100 vendors for the adults to browse. They make shopping for produce a fun summer activity without the huge crowd that the Des Moines farmer’s market unfortunately has.

Ankeny Farmer’s Market–Saturdays 8am-Noon, 715 West 1st Street- Ankeny’s farmer’s market has 35 vendors each week who offer a variety of products from baked goods to seasonal fruits and vegetables. BBQ is cooked on site so this is a great place to get your lunch on Saturday morning for a reasonable price. The vendors here are very friendly and love to help you with making the best selection of the fruit/vegetables they’re selling.

LSI Global Greens–Saturdays 9am-1pm, 3200 University Avenue- LSI’s Global Greens program is different than the other farmer’s markets in Des Moines in that all of the profits go towards funding their agriculture education and business development training for refugees in Des Moines who want to feel connected to the land. They sell certified, chemical free produce that is GMO free and free of synthetic fertilizers/pesticides. This is an awesome opportunity to buy certified organic produce that also helps those in the Des Moines area both make an income and help them become part of our community.

Altoona Farmer’s Market–Wednesdays 4:30pm-7pm, Heritage Plaza- The Altoona Farmer’s Market gives you two days a week to have the chance to get locally grown/baked food. They have items like homemade soap, kettle korn and gluten free baked goods for those who want more than just fruits/vegetables. This has one of the best selections of desserts including huge homemade pies that you’ll want to buy multiples for your family because everyone will want to devour them as soon as you get them in your house.

Beaverdale Farmer’s Market-Tuesdays 4:30pm-7:30pm, 4100-4200 Urbandale Avenue- Beaverdale’s Farmer’s Market is run by volunteers in the Beaverdale community who work together with local businesses/farmers to provide a buy fresh, buy local opportunity for its residents. They have local musicians who provide entertainment as well as 30-35 vendors who sell everything from locally grown produce to baked goods to homemade dog treats. They make you feel like you’re part of their community even if you don’t happen to live there.

Johnston Farmer’s Market– Tuesdays 4pm-7pm, 6221 Merle Hay Avenue- Johnston’s Farmer’s Market is coordinated each week by their Lion’s club who use all of their profits to fund the residential tree purchasing program for the city of Johnston. The vendors sell everything from jewelry to pet portraits made from pictures you provide of your pet. This is a smaller market but the vendors are all very helpful and you’ll feel good knowing you’re helping Johnston provide their city with more trees for their city.

Southridge Farmer’s Market–Mondays 3pm-6pm, 1111 East Army Post Road- The Southridge Farmer’s market is a great way to start your work week with their smaller market of 15-20 vendors and a bbq stand to have dinner at. This is the perfect spot to get any produce you may have forgotten over the weekend and a relaxing environment to go to after work.

Bondurant Farmer’s Market-Wednesday 6pm-8pm, Main Street SE and Grain Street NE- The Bondurant Farmer’s Market is located near the trail head of the southwest end of the Landus property. They have fainting goat farms hand made soap made with fresh goat milk, Fopma aronia berry farm stand selling antioxidant rich aronia berries, and little peep’s cookies among the many other vendors. Be sure to grab a crab ragoon on the way home since the ragoon’s here are huge and wonderful.

Grime’s Farmer’s Market-Fridays 4:30pm-7pm, 200 North James St-Held at the parking lot of the Grimes Public Library, the Grime’s Farmer’s Market is only in it’s second year so this is one of the newest markets in the area. They have about 15 vendors selling locally grown produce and homemade jams/jellies as well as a chiropractor who offers chair massages to help you relax as you shop.

Waukee Farmer’s Market-Wednesdays 4pm-7pm, 6th Street and Ashworth Drive- There’s plenty of shade from the trees at the Waukee Farmer’s Market to enjoy your fresh fruit straight from the vendor or a treat from Linda’s Bake Shoppe. They offer live music every week making this a great spot to spend your Hump Day evening relaxing and trying to forget you have two more days of work to go before the weekend.